Tablet fuel mobile broadband boom

More specifically, by the end of 2015 NPD expects the number of active mobile broadband devices to reach 34m, a near 50% increase from 2013, with tablets accounting for two-thirds (66%) of those devices.

Tablets currently account for 40 percent of mobile broadband connections.

Walmart is most valuable retailer

Walmart has retained its position as the world's most valuable retail brand, thanks in part to its focus on digital and omnichannel.

Mobile is changing the way people shop

Two-thirds (66%) of shoppers say they are more likely to shop in a physical store that has a 'useful' mobile app.

When defining a 'useful' mobile app, 50% of shoppers said it's one with an easy-to-use interface that allows them to find a store, followed by access to customer service and the option of being able to make a purchase via the app.

China's ecommerce set to overtake US

China's ecommerce penetration is forecast to overtake that of the US in 2014, according to UBS AG.

China's online shopping sales hit two trillion Yuan (US $323bn), accounting for about 8% of the country's total retail sales last year.

That figure is likely to grow this year thanks to increased urbanisation and faster internet access.

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